Group 1: Precious Metals Market - The global precious metals market experienced unprecedented volatility at the beginning of 2026, with gold prices plummeting nearly 10% from a historical high of nearly $5600, while silver prices fell nearly 30%, marking the largest single-day drop on record [1] - As of February 2, the spot gold price fell below $4500 for the first time since January 9, dropping 7.9% during the day and currently hovering around $4635 [1] - Domestic gold jewelry prices also saw significant declines, with brands like Chow Sang Sang and Luk Fook reporting drops of 224 yuan per gram compared to January 29, when international gold prices peaked [1] Group 2: U.S. Employment Data - The U.S. Labor Department is set to release January's non-farm employment data, which is crucial for assessing the timing of the Federal Reserve's next interest rate cut [5] - Market expectations indicate a consensus of 70,000 new non-farm jobs added in January, up from 50,000 in December, with the unemployment rate and average hourly earnings expected to remain unchanged at 4.4% and 0.3%, respectively [5] Group 3: Central Bank Meetings - The European Central Bank (ECB) and the Bank of England (BoE) are scheduled to hold interest rate decision meetings, with expectations that both will maintain current rates [7] - The ECB is anticipated to comment on inflation and growth risks, while the BoE's new quarterly forecasts will be critical for evaluating potential rate cuts in the spring [7] Group 4: U.S. Stock Market Outlook - Recent U.S. economic data suggests a positive fundamental outlook, with the S&P 500 likely to continue a steady upward trend despite the Fed's pause on rate cuts [9] - The upcoming midterm elections may prompt President Trump to take actions that support stock market performance, as a rising stock market correlates with increased support [9] Group 5: Geopolitical Developments - Israeli military discussions with U.S. officials regarding potential military actions against Iran highlight ongoing geopolitical tensions [10] - President Trump expressed a desire to reach an agreement with Iran, while also emphasizing military readiness in the region [11][13] - A joint statement from eight foreign ministers condemned Israel's recent actions in Gaza, calling for restraint and adherence to ceasefire agreements [14]